First appointment with colorectal consultant today - what should I expect?

[sheeplikessleep]

Dr referred me and I've got my first appointment later on this afternoon.
I'm very nervous, but wondered if anyone else could shine a light on what is likely to happen.
I'm guessing chat, examination, chat again.
Glad to be doing something to deal with the daily pain,but as I say, not looking forward to the process!
Thanks

Thanks for your reply, I had antibiotics 5 weeks ago nothing happened , I had a Calprotectin test (for bloody stools) level came back at 1080 don’t know what it means Gp didn’t say , I have been given fibre supplement so I can go to the toilet without too much difficulty . My appointment is Tuesday I accepted the first available one, despite my colonoscopy being clear as far as cancer goes I am terrified😫

If you had clear biopsy results in October last year then cancer is unlikely. Everything you have described is consistent with your diagnosis of diverticulitis. Think of next week as a positive step towards getting better. I do know how it feels - hope it goes well.

NB you might want take your phone and charger and a set of spare underwear when you go to clinic just in case they want to admit you straight away. I am not suggesting this is likely, but it did happen to me, and because my phone ran out of juice I couldn’t tell anyone I was in hospital!

Thanks I am off work next week anyway so plan to pack a bag with essentials as my Gp said that I may be admitted. I’m worn out with it now , I think what is worrying me more is that the Gp doesn’t think it is Diverticulitis as it has gone on for so long and I tend to agree but all 3 episodes so far have been 2x 5 weeks and now 7 weeks. Hopefully Tuesday will give me some answers, thanks very much for replying

Well in my case (for what it is worth) I had increasingly complicated acute episodes every couple of months for a year and a half, was admitted to hospital something like 6 or 7 times in that period, before eventually needing emergency surgery. In some people diverticulitis becomes chronic and the inflammation never really goes away between acute flare-ups. My GP was also surprised at how things developed, but there you are!

Oh ok that makes me feel slightly better as a couple of fellow sufferers have said their episodes lasted less than a week.

I never had one which resolved without IV antibiotics.

I hope that is what they give me then because nothing helps, eating high fibre , low fibre, liquid diet etc

No indeed, nothing helps except the drugs. The protocol at my hospital involved IV metronidazole together with either cephalexin or ciprofloxacin. They are pretty strong and can make you feel queasy/sick/headachy. And you can’t have any alcohol at all until the metronidazole is out of your system.

Actually even now I still cannot tolerate alcohol, over a year post-surgery.

I’ve not had alcohol for months but I could drink some right now , how long did you stay in hospital?

Most times I would have about 3 nights in hospital, sometimes 4 or 5. Obviously it was much longer after major surgery.

Not too bad then I guess, unless I have to have surgery which could be on the cards but anything to get back to some kind of normality

Yes absolutely. It wrote off the best part of 2 years for me. Hope you can get on track towards normality soon.

Thanks so much it has helped chatting with you haven’t been able to speak to anybody

You’re welcome. Feel free to message me if that would be helpful.

Thanks I will do and will definitely let you know what happens Tuesday

Hi, went to see consultant today as arranged, she was lovely and very thorough but says that some of the symptoms I have don’t fit with Diverticular disease, IBS , Colitus. I am absolutely beside myself , had examination nothing unusual but now I have to go for another colonoscopy to find out what the inflammation is, I’m so scared now, was hoping for answers but feel worse as I had colonoscopy in Oct😫

LarkDescending are you there?

Yes I am here. Sorry for your distress. If you don't mind my asking, which symptoms didn't fit with those possible diagnoses?

NB I am not qualified to advise or gainsay the opinion of your consultant.

Will the colonoscopy be fixed on an urgent basis? I know the waiting is awful.

Hi, the consultant said that she didn’t know what was causing the inflammation in my bowel but didn’t think it fitted Crohns etc. I could have had the colonoscopy this Saturday but I have a really bad chest infection so I am going on the 27th April and will see the guy who did the first one.

Had ultrasound for bladder and kidney due to chronic uti's they added stomach to the list last minute. Two days latter received appointment with colorectal surgeon this Friday 16 Dec terrified what do they suspect is wrong.